USA > Illinois > Illinois, historical and statistical, comprising the essential facts of its planting and growth as a province, county, territory, and state, Vol. I > Part 43
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In 1887, he issued a pamphlet on the subject of the Mor- mons in which he once more strongly re-affirms his former testimony and explains his views at length. On his death-bed he called his neighbors around him, among them Dr. Geo. W.
* Vol. XVI, 852.
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Buchanan, who testified to his soundness of mind, and solemnly stated that he " wanted to bear his dying testimony to the truth of the Mormon Bible." "I want to say to you all that the Bible and the record of the Nephites is true."
These are the facts relating to the Book of Mormon, as con- tended for by those who have faith in its verity. That these three witnesses were sincere and believed their testimony to be true, there seems hardly room to doubt; and that Joseph Smith had in his possession metallic plates of some description with engraved characters upon them, must be admitted if this testi- mony be accepted as trustworthy.
How far these witnesses, if at all, were operated upon by exterior influences beyond their knowledge or control; whence the plates were derived; the truth in regard to their origin; and genuineness of their translation, are questions of speculative inquiry, whose determination must depend upon the nature of the evidence, the degree of faith exercised, and the credulity of public opinion.
The American Mahomet having produced and published his Koran, believers in his wondrous revelations soon became so nu- merous as to warrant the formation of a new religious sect, and one was accordingly organized at Fayette, N.Y., on Apr. 6, 1830, which was at first denominated "The Church of Christ," the name being afterward changed to "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." Although outside of a belief in the Book of Mormon, and in the exercise of miraculous powers, there was nothing specially new in its articles of faith, the growth of the church was unprecedented. The new creed was eagerly embraced by two classes always largely present in every com- munity. To its standard flocked the discontented and the credulous. Those who had become dissatisfied with the forms of faith in which they had been reared, and which they had formerly professed, and those whose innate yearnings for the new and the mysterious led them to yield a ready ear to any- thing, however improbable, provided it was novel, quickly became disciples. With them was joined an element of social renegades, men of scheming. ambition and dissolute life, who saw in the new movement a stepping-stone to power and wealth. In a word, among the disciples of Smith were included the
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malcontent, the visionary, and the enthusiast, the scoundrel and the dupe. One and all, however, displayed a fanatical fervor which seemed to find its highest gratification in the voluntary and total surrender of property and services alike, in the hope of being numbered among the elect "according to Joseph the prophet of the Lord."
In person, Joseph Smith, then in the virile strength of early manhood, was tall and well-formed, muscular and active. He had a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and an expression of countenance peculiarly attractive. His manner was affable, easy, and familiar. His temper was ordi- narily amiable, but terrible in its intensity when aroused. As a speaker, he was not polished but possessed a native gift of sim- ple, unstudied eloquence, not the least of whose charms was its originality. His addressess abounded in quaint illustrations and scriptural quotations, and whether touching on the common place, or rising to the contemplation of higher and supernatural themes, "he interested and edified, while at the same time he amused and entertained his audience."*
Naturally the promulgation of a religion possessing so many peculiar features was destined to arouse strong opposition. Other denominations fulminated in no measured terms their denunciations against it, and the press, through papers, pamph- lets, and books, sought to stem the tide of successful propag- andism by assailing the work and character of its founder. These attacks doubtless assumed the proportions of religious persecution and sometimes were followed by personal assaults from mobs and arrests for alleged crimes.
Believing that if the authorship of the Book of Mormon could be established in some one beside Joseph Smith, the superstructure of the new faith would be undermined and the organization founded thereon would fall, his opponents charged that the book was based upon a work written in 1812 by one Solomon Spaulding, entitled "The Manuscript Found"; which had in some way come into the possession of Joseph Smith or Sidney Rigdon, or both, who had changed its contents to suit their own purposes. A number of personal statements were produced from those who had heard all or portions of the
* "Life of Joseph the Prophet," by E. W. Tullidge.
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Spaulding manuscript read by the author, and who had also heard read the Book of Mormon. These certified that "with the exception of the religious matter contained in the alleged translation, it is the same;" nearly all especially remembering the use of the names of Nephi, Lehi, and Moroni, which were said to be identical in both the translated book and the manu- script .*
The followers of Smith replied to this charge that there was no reliable evidence connecting Smith with Rigdon prior to 1830, or either with any Spaulding manuscript; that the state- ments of similarity between the latter and the Mormon bible were not made under the sanction of an oath, were ex parte, manufactured out of flimsy suppositions, and totally unworthy of credence; that the history of the only Spaulding manu- script which had ever been produced, and in regard to whose existence there was any certainty, had been definitely traced from the time the author presented it for publication in Pitts- burgh, in 1812; and more recently that it was discovered in Honolulu in August, 1885, by President J. H. Fairchild of Oberlin College, and has been since published, refuting the charge of plagiarism.
The opponents of Mormonism have placed more stress upon their efforts to prove the worthlessness of the Mormon bible as an inspired record, on the ground of authorship, than the nat- ure of the evidence produced by them warrants. The powers of mind required to conceive and execute the Mormon scheme, as a new departure of religious faith and practice, were far superior to those required to write the Mormon bible. For this work no special or unusual literary qualifications were necessary. nor are they exhibited in its composition, which is that of an unpractised writer of but small pretensions to learning. The biblical style adopted, to one imbued with its spirit, can be easily acquired, and has been frequently copied.
The condemnation of the Book of Mormon as a work of divine authority may be found in the abundant evidence which itself furnishes. It abounds in anachronisms, and in quotations from the Old and New Testaments, many of the latter being put into the mouth of alleged American prophets five hundred
* "History of Mormonism," by E. D. Howe.
Chicago Photo Gravure Co,
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years before they were uttered by Christ or his apostles. Many of its statements of fact, such as the killing of two millions of combatants in one battle, are wholly incredible. It contains also many revival and camp-meeting expressions current at the period of its publication, a circumstance which very clearly indi- cates its modern paternity.
In 1832, the membership having rapidly increased, a large portion of "the church" in pursuance of "divine indications," removed to Jackson County, Missouri, while others, with the prophet, settled at Kirtland, O. The immigrants at Indepen- dence, Mo., prospered for a time, but soon came into more or less active collision with their neighbors, which resulted in their being driven away; a portion settling in Clay County for awhile, but all afterward removing to Caldwell and Davies counties, where large tracts of land were purchased, and the town of Far West established. Here they were joined by that portion of the organization left in Ohio, which had been torn by dissensions and financial embarrassments, in 1838; the prophet leaving by night, pursued by importunate creditors. Their claims and pretensions here were equally objectionable, and brought on a conflict between them and the mob which resulted in several serious engagements, the loss of not a few lives, the calling out of the militia by Gov. Boggs, who sur- rounded and captured the city of Far West, and made prisoners of its undesirable inhabitants. All were released on their promise to leave the state, except Joseph Smith and six leading associ- ates, who were tried before a court martial for treason, and condemned to be shot. This unquestionably illegal sentence would have been carried out but for the firm and determined opposition of Col. A. W. Doniphan, and the prisoners were committed to jail for trial.
They were indicted in Davies County on charges of treason, murder, and larceny, but having secured a change of venue, escaped from the sheriff, while being transferred to Marion County.
The condition of the Mormons in Missouri who had been despoiled of their property and homes and ordered to leave the State naturally appealed to the sympathy and commisera- tion of those to whom their tales of woe had come. Many of
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them fled to Illinois, whose citizens were stirred greatly by the recitals of their sufferings and made liberal offers of assistance, which were gratefully accepted. Here, in Hancock County, at a small village called Commerce, on the bank of the Mississippi, to which was now given the name Nauvoo, the prophet deter- mined to re-locate his scattered followers. The New Jerusalem of Missouri in spite of prophecy and special revelations regard- ing the prosperity and power of that new Zion, had come to naught. But the prophet had escaped from the toils of his enemies, said his followers, and would now re-organize his church in greater strength and splendor than ever before. And notwithstanding the utter failure of his colony in Missouri, their faith remained unshaken and their numbers continued rapidly to multiply. The fires of persecution seemed only to rekindle their ardor and stimulate their devotion.
Within two years, over two thousand dwellings were erected in Nauvoo, besides school-houses and other public edifices; and by 1842 the Mormons in Hancock County numbered over six- teen thousand souls.
With the steadily growing prosperity which attended the new establishment, and the constant increase in the number of "conversions," the brain of the founder and leader of the move- ment became intoxicated by his increasing power and the incense arising from the adulation of his disciples. Ignoring the necessity for prudence and moderation, forgetful of the dearly-learned lessons of the past, he rushed blindly forward toward the collapse of his ambition, the shipwreck of his hopes, and even to his death. Not content to confine his efforts to the propagation of his distinctive tenets, and the supervision of the spiritual interests of his followers, he assumed to meddle . with, and direct the action of his adherents regarding state and national politics. In Missouri, they had allied themselves with the dominant party, but were strongly suspected of cherishing abolition sympathies, and owed their expulsion from the State to a democratic administration. President VanBuren had denied Smith a hearing on his petition for compensation for losses of property in Missouri, and the latter, not unnaturally, sought in Illinois the friendship of the whigs, who, being in the minority, did not feel disposed to reject an alliance which could render
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such material aid. The Mormons accordingly voted for Gen. Harrison in 1840. But the political affinities of the Saints were based solely upon benefits accruing to their organization, and having secured the aid of the democrats in passing the city charter and the promise of other legislative favors, the prophet, . in 1842, issued his proclamation calling upon his followers to. support the democrats. The extraordinary powers granted in the act incorporating the city of Nauvoo laid the foundation for those ordinances by which he expected to reach the very pinnacle of power, but which in reality resulted in his down- fall and ruin. Under its provisions, the city established its own courts and militia organization, both of which were inde- pendent of State control, and virtually in conflict with the laws and constitution.
A warrant, issued by Gov. Carlin in 1842, for the arrest of Joseph Smith as a fugitive from justice from Missouri, had not been executed when Gov. Ford came into office, and for the pur- pose of testing in the federal court, the question involved, a new writ was issued and served and the prisoner brought to Spring- field. A writ of habeas corpus was thereupon sued out by Justin Butterfield, an eminent and witty lawyer from Chicago, before Judge Pope. The notoriety of the accused no less than the importance of the question attracted wide attention, and a large audience gathered at the hearing, including many ladies, for whom seats had been prepared on the platform upon which the judge was seated. When Butterfield arose to address the court, he began by saying that he supposed no member of the legal profession had ever before been situated as himself on that occasion -"standing in the august presence of the Pope, sur- rounded by angels, defending the Prophet of the Lord." He was successful in his application, the law of the case being found unquestionably in favor of his client, who was at once dis- charged. Smith was again indicted in Missouri in 1843, for an alleged attempt to murder Gov. Boggs, and another warrant was issued upon which he was again arrested; but while on their way the officer and his prisoner were met by an armed force of Mormons who conducted the prophet to Nauvoo, where he was released by the municipal court.
Feeling now secure from further molestation by arrest, and
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emboldened by the successful operation of his city ordinances, and apparent ability to maintain his supreme authority, the overweening ambition of the prophet knew no bounds. He arrogated to himself substantially the entire civil power con- ferred by the city charter. As mayor, and ex-officio president of the council, he shaped the legislation which, as sole judge of ยท the mayor's court and chief justice of the municipal court, it was his duty to construe, and the enforcement of which was in his own hands as chief executive. Besides the control of the police, he was invested with command of an absolutely subser- vient military force, and endowed with the power to conduct a system of secret espionage through an organized hireling band, whose only law was the will of an unscrupulous chief, to whom they formed a sort of body-guard.
He also instituted a select order of priesthood, whose mem- bers were called Priests and Kings, of which body he was anointed the supreme head. It was through this order, it was claimed, that he divulged his views in regard to, and initiated, his system of spiritual or "celestial marriages," out of which grew polygamy as now practised in Utah.
But as if the possession of these extraordinary civic and ecclesiastical powers were not sufficient to satisfy his ambition, he conceived the idea of becoming a temporal prince as well- and in 1844, declared himself, in an address "to the American People," a candidate for president. The government of the United States was openly denounced, and many of his follow- ers really pretended to believe that it would be succeeded by that of Joseph Smith. And thus it appeared to the infatuated leader and his fanatical disciples that he was making rapid strides toward the attainment of great "power and glory."
The rise and progress of such an organization as the Mor- mons in any community or state could naturally have but one result. Fleeing to Illinois from the vengeance of Missouri mobs and as suppliants for charity, they injected into their church administration an element of fanaticism exceedingly offensive and altogether distasteful. Holding, as they soon came to do, the balance of power politically, they cast it- ostensibly by Divine command-now on one side and now on the other, a course which, so far from promoting conciliation,
48 I
THE PROPHET'S DESPOTIC SWAY.
fomented antagonism. Assuming to be the only church whose teachers possessed the apostolic power of working miracles and the "gift of tongues," they were unsparing in their denunciation of every other religious sect, which course could scarcely fail to awaken bitter resentment. At the same time, their claim to independence of the State, with its attendant usurpation of power, arrayed against them on yet other grounds a public hostility which was not long in finding occasion to become demonstrative.
The people of Hancock County soon became divided in their relations to this organization as follows: one portion, in- cluding generally the old, responsible citizens, although opposed to the Mormons, were not in favor of extreme or unlawful measures against them; another portion, comprising the largest, and which contained many of the worst, elements in society, the reckless and the vicious, composed the anti - Mormon party proper. There was still another portion, called Jack-Mormons, many of them unscrupulous, who sided with the Mormons from motives of self-interest.
So despotic had the rule of the prophet become through the agencies already enumerated that a number of his prominent followers had determined openly to oppose him and resist his further encroachments. To this end, for the purpose of more readily reaching the public ear, they established in Nauvoo a newspaper as their organ. But one number was ever permitted to appear. By an order of the common council, upon an ex- parte proceeding, the heretical press, having been declared to be a public nuisance, was destroyed; and its owners and pro- moters expelled from the church. This action, altogether un- precedented, arbitrary, and illegal, brought on a crisis. Warrants for the arrest of Mayor Smith and other officers who had par- ticipated in the summary proceedings were issued; but their service was either resisted, or those arrested were promptly discharged by the municipal court, so that it was found impossi- ble to bring the perpetrators of the offence to a trial. Upon receiving a formal request to call out the militia to aid in executing civil process in Nauvoo the governor determined to visit the disturbed locality in person. There had already been presented to him the difficult problem of meeting from an
31
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empty state treasury, the interest on an enormous state debt; he was now called upon to solve one more perplexing yet. He saw at a glance, that as in all like quarrels, some wrong had been committed on both sides, and turn whichever way he would, his conduct would be open to misinterpretation and even censure.
Upon arriving at Carthage, he found a force of twelve hun- dred militia assembled from the counties of Hancock, McDon- ough, and Schuyler, under command of Col. Levi Williams. The governor found the populace exceedingly hostile. The refusal of Smith to be arrested constituted but a small portion of the complaints brought against the Mormons, who were charged with the crimes of kidnapping, robbery, and larceny. Public meetings had been held, at which inflammatory speeches were made against the obnoxious sect, and resolutions adopted in favor of their expulsion from the State, or extermination. On the other hand, these charges were denied by the accused, who raised the cry of "persecution" against their opponents.
Gov. Ford dispatched a force of ten men with a constable to Nauvoo for the purpose of making arrests. The officer was directed to inform Smith and the other defendants, that if they surrendered they should be protected from violence and have a fair trial-in which assurance the assembled force concurred. They were to be informed further that if they refused to give themselves up, the entire militia of the State would be called out to compel their submission.
The mayor and common council, upon hearing from the governor, at once signified their willingness to surrender, on the charge of riot upon which the warrants had been issued, not to the constable, however, but to the authorities at Carthage, where they arrived on June, 23, 1844, and having entered into recogni- zance before the justice of the peace for their appearance at court, were all discharged, except Joseph and Hyrum Smith, against whom a new writ had been issued on com laint of treason. Upon being again arrested, neither party being ready for trial, they were committed to the county jail for greater security. The governor was urged to march the militia to Nauvoo for the purpose of searching for counterfeit money and to prevent, by intimidation, any further depredations on
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THE PROPHET'S INCARCERATION AND DEATH.
the part of the Mormons, it being hoped that in this way a collision might be provoked. But the executive, although at first inclining to favor such a movement, being further advised, decided against it, and ordered the disbandment of all the troops except three companies, two of which he ordered to guard the jail, one of these-the Carthage Grays-being under command of R. F. Smith, the justice who had issued the warrants upon which the arrests had been made. Having already despatched Capt. James W. Singleton of Brown County with his company to guard Nauvoo, and to take command of the "legion," leaving Gen. Minor R. Deming in command at Carthage, the governor with Col. Nathaniel Buckmaster, quar- termaster-general, and Capt. Dunn's company of dragoons, departed for the Mormon city, eighteen miles distant, to in- vestigate the condition of affairs at that point.
The tragic termination of the life of the prophet was now near at hand. Although the military posse had consented to save the persons of the five prisoners from violence, so intense was the popular antipathy to the Mormons, and so bitter the prejudice - always stronger than reason or judg- ment-that nothing but the letting of blood could appease the wrath of the people. What the mob desired was a hostile encounter, and when it was found that the action of the gover- nor would avoid the clash of arms, there were deep if not loud mutterings againt the lives of the Smiths. The charge of treason, upon which they were confined, was evidently a mere pretext for the purpose of holding their persons in Carthage; and it is sur- prising that the governor, knowing the hatred with which they were regarded, did not share in the suspicion of Col. Buckmas- ter and others that an attack would be made upon the jail during his absence.
About eight miles from Carthage, on the 27th day of June, a portion of the disbanded militia was met by a force from War- saw. An angry consultation ensued regarding the situation. The absence of the governor from Carthage, the fact that the jail was only protected by one company-the other having dis- banded-that a majority of the guard would prove favorable to their design, were all well considered, and the plot was formed to attack the jail and assassinate the Smiths. One hundred
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and fifty desperate men were selected for this purpose, who disguised themselves by blackening their faces with powder and mud and ruslied on toward the county-seat. Arriving there at five o'clock p.m., it was learned that but eight men had been detailed to guard the prisoners, while the remainder of the com- pany was stationed in the public square, a hundred and fifty yards distant. Gen. Deming, although he could not fail to see what was going on, having been deserted by a portion of his troops, had no force upon which he could depend, and was compelled to retire from the scene.
In the meantime, the prisoners passed a gloomy day full of forebodings of evil to come. Joseph Smith was not without his premonitions of the coming catastrophe. On leaving Nauvoo he said, "If I don't come back, take care of yourselves. I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer morning. I shall die innocent, and it shall be said of me 'he was murdered in cold blood.'" The friends who had called upon him during the day were not permitted to return. The time passed slowly, and a remarkable depression of spirits was upon all the prisoners. They endeavored to cheer themselves by drinking wine and by singing hymns, but all to no purpose. The sound of the last song had hardly died away when they heard a commotion on the outside. Their hour had come. Several shots were fired by the guard, but their feeble resist- ance was soon overcome. The front door of the jail was burst open, and the narrow stairway which led to the prisoners' room was filled with armed men. Arriving at the head of the stairs, the assailants fired a volley through the door into the prisoners' apartment, and Hyrum Smith fell dying to the floor. Joseph had been furnished with a revolver which he used with effect, wounding three of the attacking party. John Taylor received four wounds, but the prophet and Dr. Willard Richards were as yet untouched. The door was soon forced open, how- ever, when Smith, though now severely wounded, sought to escape through the open window. But the relentless mob was below as well as around him, and while clinging to the sill a discharge of musketry brought him headlong to the ground, exclaiming "O Lord, my God." To make their work doubly sure he was placed against a well-curb and riddled with balls.
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